Reach-coupling for vehicles



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

C. G. BRADLEY. REACH COUPLING FOR VEHICLES. No. 499,959. Patented June 20, 1893.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. C. C. BRADLEY.

REACH COUPLING FOR VEHICLES.

No. 499,959. Patented June 20, 1893.

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655615 Jul/6215071 UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEIoE.

CHRISTOPHER U. BRADLEY, OF SYRACUSE, NE\V YORK.

REACH-COUPLING FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,959, dated June 20, 1893. Application filed March 31, 1893. Serial Ila 68,522. (N0 model.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER O. BRAD- LEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of. Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Reach-Couplings, of which the following is a specification- This invention relates to that class of reach couplings in which=the king bolt or pivotal connection between the reach and the front axle is located in rear of the latter.

The object of my invention is to produce a reach coupliu g in which the reach is arranged comparatively low in the vehicle and at the same time rigidly connected with the head block above the fifth wheel so as to establish a firm connection and prevent rattling.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of two sheetsz-Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of my improved reach coupling. Fig.2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section'in line 3-3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section in line 4- l, Fig. 2, looking forward.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

Arepresents the front axle, B the lower segment of the fifth wheel which is secured to the uppeiuside of the axle; O the upper segment of the fifth wheel; D the head block secured upon the upper segment; E the spring secured upon the head block, and F F the two members of a double reach. The main portions of the segments are arranged in front of the axle and extend with their ends rearward of the axle when the parts are in their normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The upper segment is provided with two rearwardly converging arms G which are connected at their rear ends by an eye g. This eye is provided with two rearwardly diverging coupling arms H H which are secured to the upper sides of the two members of the reach, when a double reach is used, and with a single coupling arm when a single reach is used.

I represents two rearwardly curved arms which are formed on the lower segment and which are provided with an eye j arranged underneath the eye of the upper segment.

K represents a coupling arm orironwhereby the reach is connected with the head block. This coupling iron consists of an eye It arranged underneath the eyej of the lower segment, two coupling arms I which diverge rearwardly from the eye It and are secured to the under side of the reach, and a front coupling arm m which extends forwardly from the eye K and upwardly between the arms G and I of the segments to the head block. The arm m is provided at its front end with a cross head m which is secured to the rear side of the head block.

N represents an inclined brace which is secured with its front end to the middle of the axle and provided at its rear end with an eye it which is arranged underneath the eye of the coupling iron.

0 represents the king bolt arranged in the eye of the coupling iron and the eye of the brace and bearing with its head upon the eye of the upper segment.- The eye of the coupling iron is provided with an upwardly projecting extension is, which is surrounded by the eyes of the segments and on which the eye of the lower segment turns, whereby the king bolt is relieved from the greater part of the strain.

P represents a screw nut arranged upon the lower screw-threaded end of the king bolt, and p is a spring surrounding the king bolt and bearing with its ends against the screw nut and the eye of the brace, whereby the eyes of the segments, coupling iron, and brace are drawn together and prevented from rattling.

By arranging the rear portion of the coup ling iron below the segments, and extending it upwardly between the segment arms to the head block, the reach can be arranged very low in the vehicle and still be rigidly connected with the head block, whereby these parts are firmly connected and rattling is prevented.

The coupling arm K is preferably constructed of'iron to render it light and strong while occupying little space, but, if desired it can be constructed of wood, or wood trimmed with iron and form a bent or curved continuation block secured upon the upper segment, and a reach, of a coupling arm having its eye arranged underneath the eye of the lower segment, secured with its rearend to the reach and extending forwardly and upwardly through both segments to the head block to which its elevated front end is secured, and aconnecting king bolt, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the axle, a lower segment secured thereto an eye in rear of the axle, an upper segment provided with a similarly located eye, a head block secured upon the reach, of a coupling armnhaving its eyearranged underneath the eye of the lower segand provided with upper segment, and a r ment, secured with its rear end to the reach and extending forwardly and upwardly through both segments touthe' head block to which its elevated front end is secured,a brace secured to the front axle and having at its rear end an eye which is arranged underneath the eye pfithecoupliug iron,;an,d a connecting king bolt, substantially as set forth.

1 Witness myhand this 28th day of March, r 893.

CHRISTOPHER o. BRADLEY.

Witnesses: O SHB N ELL,

E. W. PITKIN. 

